Festival Ray*la*ne is slated to be a one-day children’s event to be held at the Rayne Civic Center on Saturday, July 16, concluding with the senior pageants and coronation on the evening hours.

Doors for the 2011 event will open at 8:30 a.m. with clowns, games, contests and children’s pageants, as well as lots of other kid-friendly activities. A visiting grandmother deemed the event the “best kept secret in Louisiana.”

Children’s pageants include eight queen categories age 0-eight years of age to be held during the morning hours. Additionally, there will include a silent auction and flea market, craft stations, games and fun jumps, along with concessions slated to begin at 9 a.m.

Contests in “Children of All Ages” and “Royalty” categories will be held throughout the day. During the morning interactive participation with the reigning Ray*la*ne royalty, as well as other visiting queens, will include sack races, hula hoop contests, dancing, crafts, and other events with no prior registration needed.

Additionally, attendees and royalty may register to enter the afternoon events to include decorated hula hoop, flip floop style show and floats for the indoor parade slated for 2:45 p.m. Floats will have two categories, “carries” and “rolled” with awards in all categories.

Concessions featuring children’s “Monkey Meals” and the famous “Ray*la*ne burgers” will also be sold throughout the day.

Doors will close following the parade to prepare for the by-invitation-only 2011 Royal Luau honoring the Ray*la*ne XIII royalty, including Queen April Nelson, Princess Sara Hollingsworth, Lady Heather Romero, Ms. Pam Hollingsworth and Deb Blair Bergeron during the afternoon hours.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. for the evening events that will include the senior pageants and conronation for the 2011-2012 Ray*la*ne royalty.

The senior pageants include Queen Ray*la*ne XIV, Princess Ray*la*ne XIV, Lady Ray*la*ne IX and Ms. Ray*la*ne II.

Request pageant entry forms, visiting royalty forms, program listings and other information online from Marlene Habetz at mmhabetz@cox.net.

Rayne resident Blair Bergeron will reign over the Festival Ray*la*ne XIV Children’s Pageants. Age categories include: Infant 0-6 months; Baby 7-11 months; T’Nincy 12-23 months; Toddler 2 years; Tiny 3-4 years; Petite 5-6 years. Play wear attire required.

In the formal wear categories are: Little 7-9 years; Deb 10-12 years.

Deb Ray*la*ne XIII Blair Bergeron presents her inviation to the 2011 events in her letter as attached:

It was a wonderful opportunity to represent the City of Rayne and Festival Ray*la*ne as their Deb Queen this past year. I was so surprised when they called my name and placed the crown on my head.

I traveled to many pageants and festival around the state and witnessed their many different traditions. It also gave me the chance to let people know about the City of Rayne and Festival Ray*la*ne.

I would like to thank the City of Rayne, the mayor, and everyone responsible for this festival, especially Mrs. Marlene, Mrs. Theresa, and the ladies of Beta Sigma Phi.

I would also like to thank Mrs. Cheryl for always sending me invites to local events. Thank you to April, Heather, Sarah and Mrs. Pam for making me feel like a member of the Ray*la*ne royalty family.

It was an honor this past year to represent the City of Rayne and Festival Ray*la*ne, the only tropical children’s festival.

It was a wonderful year and I would like to wish all this year’s contestants, good luck!

Come join me on Saturday, July 16, 2011, at the Rayne Civic Center to have a bouncing good time at Festival Ray*la*ne.

Deb Ray*la*ne XIII

Blair Bergeron